DAVAO CITY—Dispensing with an inauguration ceremony established in 1992, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has chosen to take his oath of office in “simple yet meaningful” ceremonies on June 30 before Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes at Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace.
Incoming Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Go said the arrangements for Duterte’s inaugural are meant to be “consistent with his principles on austerity.”
“This is also intended to cause the least disruption to the public,” Go said, adding that the oath of office will be administered by Reyes, one of founders of the Lex Stalionis Fraternitas of the San Beda College of Law, of which Duterte is also a member.
Go said there will be no luncheon after the inauguration and only “light finger food,” such as fried bananas and rice cakes will be served. Instead of wine, guests will be served cocoa from Malagos Chocolate in Davao City.
Go said there will also be a tour of the Presidential Museum and Library after the program and Duterte will stay the evening at Bahay Pangarap, the current official residence of outgoing President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.
While Filipinos have witnessed nine inaugurations of seven presidents at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, it is not the first time a Philippine president would take his oath of office in Malacañang.
Former President Carlos Garcia took his oath of office at the Council of State Room in Malacañan on March 23, 1957 after the death of Ramon Magsaysay. Former President Ferdinand Marcos was also inaugurated at the Maharlika Hall of Malacañang in 1986.
Only seven of the country’s 16 presidents were inaugurated at the Quirino Grandstand: Quirino (1949), Magsaysay (1953), Garcia (1957), Macapagal (1961), Marcos (1965, 1969, 1981), Ramos (1992) and Aquino III (2010).
Former President Joseph Estrada took his oath at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan as did the first President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1897.
Former Presidents Manual Quezon, Jose Laurel and Manuel Roxas were inaugurated in front of the Legislative Building in Manila.
Former President Corazon Aquino took her oath at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City while former President Gloria Arroyo took her oath at the Edsa Shrine on January 20, 2001 and at the Cebu Capitol on June 30, 2004.